TAPA Faculty
Jennifer Patten, English and History Instructor:
Jennifer holds Bachelor's Degrees in English and music from Boston College, and a Master’s Degree in musicology from Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. She studied cello performance and music history with an emphasis on cultural studies and diaspora. Jennifer has also trained extensively in dance, most recently focusing on jazz, modern, and hip-hop. She headed the Dance Organization of Boston College and danced with the Giordano Dance School in Evanston, IL. Jennifer loves exploring new arts and expanding her dance and musical styles; therefore, she has also picked up the Irish fiddle. Dedicated to the arts and scholarship, Jennifer actively seeks to intertwine these disciplines in both her life and her educational philosophy.
Andy MacMannis, Math and Science Instructor:
Andy MacMannis is a graduate of Brown University’s Urban Education Policy program and was an undergraduate at Providence College, earning his degree in Elementary and Special Education. Prior to joining TAPA, he worked on a variety of political campaigns and he helped run an after-school program called YouthRAP in Providence. Additionally, he has advocated the importance of out-of-school time programming and extended learning time in many venues over many years. He plays guitar and bass, and he has been singing, writing, and performing music for over ten years. He also enjoys running and reading comic books!
Elizabeth Richards, Artistic Director:
Elizabeth holds Bachelor's Degrees in English and Education from Vassar College, and a Master’s Degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University. Prior to coming to TAPA, Elizabeth taught English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels, and worked in the Title I office at the Rhode Island Department of Education. She has also worked extensively in theatre, both as an actress and backstage. She served as the manager of a 180-seat black box theater and was a co-founder of the Troupe Alumni, a community theatre group that raised more than $10,000 for local and national charities. Elizabeth is also a proud leader of the Teens in Action, the Grace Church (Providence) youth group, who perform acts of service and charity around Rhode Island and New England. At TAPA, Elizabeth balances her work with students with her passion for the arts and urban education.
Steven Olsen, Head of School:
Steve Olsen is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist (1999). He obtained his BA from Keene State College in Psychology and his Post BA Teacher Certification and MA from The University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has been a school administrator for 8 years and worked for 3 years at the Rhode Island Department of Education as a Educator Quality Specialist. Mr. Olsen has trained educators Nationally to use standard protocols to analyze student work and build a professional learning community (Critical Friends Groups). Mr. Olsen is also an accomplished visual artist, earning several awards for his installation work. He creates sculptures and paintings that are then situated in a natural environment and photographed. The art becomes the staged photo. He began his undergraduate education as a vocal performance major and still enjoys participating in vocal performances.